Comics of the Past 3 Weeks

Kind of a hodgepodge day of reviewing today because all these comics are from different weeks. Lets begin with this week

1/4/12

DETECTIVE COMICS #5

I was just thinking it was kind of weird that all my reviews were not just good, but great in their ratings. Beginning to think that it was a problem that I only read good comics, but all I do is read and review its up to the writers to mess up and sadly Daniels has slipped up here.

The problem is that it's not a full comic. Its half a comic and then a back page story about something else entirely with out either feeling fully realized. Even worse they are bad for different reasons.

The first story was the actual issue as I see fit and fallows Batman fallowing up on these Joker protestors/worshippers. It tries to tie in the occupy movement with the Mayor ignoring them for reelection, but they aren't arguing about taxes or the economy they are praising a criminal and hating on Batman. Seems like a weird thing to passively support. Regardless the bigger problem is Batman's way too talkative monologue. This was a problem in the first issue and has returned in full force. The dialogue is very angry and lacks any subtlety. "I AM BATMAN BECAUSE MY PARENTS ARE DEAD!!!" Only thing Batman learns is that Penguin is up to something, but we already knew this from last issue! The only positive part of this half issue was that Bruce's girlfriend went to a club and the guy she met up with was a total bro to Bruce. "The night is still young Bruce will probably come later" Way to cover his ass unimportant dude.

5/10

The back story was just this sub plot with Hugo Strange's son, but is also a Catwoman story and he isn't really a criminal. For a second I thought it would have been a cool story of criminals talking about Batman during a poker game a la the Animated series, but went in another direction and then another direction. So this wasn't much better then the main story at all.

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12/28/11

AQUAMAN#4

Surprisingly the first arc of Aquaman's new series is already wrapped up with this issue. This has always been a kind of introduction story with nothing to tolling for Aurther as a person other then being insulted by everyone including the writer. The issue has an interesting direction, but I never really felt it just had an understanding. Aquaman was fighting these trench people, but was against killing off what was clearly a dying race. He has a good point comparing their opinions to them to how the Atlantans consider humans, but these things biologically have to eat and are too dangerous to let them free so Aquaman has no choice but to allow the underwater volcano to close the trench. Maybe if this conflict was built up instead of focusing on some dopey deputy questing Aquaman's choice of shirt. Action was cool especially how the trech fish glowed in the dark and Aquaman getting some battle damage. I like how they are able to make Aquaman looks so regal especially him in his Justice League issue with his gem necklace. Back to the issue though his conflict just felt invented for this one issue and by the end it left a bad taste in my mouth with a clear act of patronizing Aquaman by having some kid exclaiming "you are my favorite super hero" go fuck yourself kid.

7.5/10

Next issue… why did Atlantis sink?

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CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BUCKY #625

So the previous issues were a nice little recap on Bucky's life and its time to take a different direction and what starts off kind of new and foreign turns into a solid piece of back story. We are back to Cap and Bucky, but no not the originals the ones that replaced them after their "deaths." William Nelsund and Jeffery Mace not to be confused with the 50's era Cap and Bucky who went insane.

Joking aside this was a surprisingly real story about what it means to be brave and taking on responsibility bigger then yourself. The story fallows Mace in his later years talking about what it was like to be the 2nd Bucky. He starts his speech with "I have never been afraid my entire life" the clever touch throughout the story he would slip up and say "I was scared at the time… no I wasn't afraid I was nervous" I honestly never thought much of these characters, but Brubaker made me care and respect these guys. Their relationship was odd sure, but it was admirable how they handled it. Its like an orgy of respect going on in these pages especially when it jumps to the present with Rogers and Nelsund's grandson getting into things. Now this is no touchy feely issue either. The assassin who killed Nelsund at least in appearance has returned to kill Mace. Not the greatest of conflicts, but it's a means to an end. This is a good comic that I can always appreciate because it tells a fresh story.

8/10

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12/21/11

DAREDEVIL #7

Don't let the cover fool you this is not "A Daredevil's Christmas."

This issue is significant in that it once again touches upon Matt's new attitude. He has a darker moment in his office obsessing over the last case. Foggy suggests how he is acting is like the old Matt, but he quickly responds on how "old Matt" was a broken and unhappy person. To be honest I wouldn't want to be that guy anymore either. Regardless pretending to be happy go lucky is a bit off putting. Jumping from depressed to party ready in 2 seconds honestly though it was a pretty hilarious moment. Bright red sweater and devil horns reading "I'M NOT DAREDEVIL" on his chest is brilliant. This plausible deniability is still funny 7 issues in.

The story takes a much darker turn though when jumping from that flashback to the present where his volunteering for troubled kids on a winter field trip goes terrible in 10 different ways. After the bus crashes leaving the driver dead and Matt's clothes torn to shred revealing his costume and as Daredevil guiding the children to safety in blinding blizzard that distracts even his radar sense. His mind races and tries to balance all things necessary to keep them alive and keep them calm. It's one of those survival stories that just tugs at you. Daredevil's biggest conflict has always been his self confidence so it was great to hear his response to "I wish Spider-man was here to save us" with "I know him he'd be pissing his pants right now." This was a very intense story that despite its grit you don't normally expect to see in a Daredevil comic.

9/10

People can joke that its so hard to review consistent books, but I love reviewing Daredevil because I always have something new to talk about. It's not great because it's the same its great because it's different.